Michael Hichborn And Frank Pavone To Speak In Bethesda January 13th

Please spread the word and be there.  Circulate the flyer below freely.  Thank you.

Cardinal Gregory Cancels Youth Rally And Mass For Life - That May Be A Good Thing

Recently Cardinal Gregory of the Archdiocese of Washington announced that the Youth Rally and Mass for Life that the archdiocese sponsored for the past 25 years will be canceled.  Many pro-life people are outraged and understandably so.  Me, not so much, and I'll explain why.

Having been friends of a previous director and assistant director of the Archdiocese pro-life office, I have a bit of an insider perspective of these events.  I know that prior to each event, both directors worked for several months non-stop to pull these events together.  Many logistical details had to be worked out.  What that meant is that they didn't have time for other pro-life matters in the archdiocese.  I believe this is one reason why the parish pro-life organizations received no real direction from the chancery.  They were left to flounder.  Now, looking back at some of the prelates involved, I wonder if these rallies were meant to keep the two directors, who are honorable and sincere people, too busy to direct any meaningful and effective pro-life efforts at the grass roots.

The spiritual tenor of these events left much to be desired.  When they first started under Cardinal Hickey, the rally consisted of a few talks that were helpful to varying degrees.  That changed after his retirement when the former "Cardinal" McCarrick took over.  It moved from the DAR Constitution Hall to the MCI Center near Chinatown.  It became much more entertainment-oriented, geared towards the high school kids in attendance.  In other words, save for the Mass, it became quite a dog-and-pony show, taking up much effort and money that could have been spent on real constructive pro-life projects.

I also noticed something else.  When these Masses ended and the attendees went to join the main rally on the Ellipse, the main rally was ending and getting ready to process to the Supreme Court.  Realizing that these thousands of people were not being included in the counts taken by the DC police department, I decided to inquire about that.  I got the opportunity to do so at an event at the Rosensteel Knights of Columbus Hall in early January.  One of DC's auxiliary bishops, who is now deceased, gave an address.  Before he scooted out the door, I presented my concerns to him, suggesting the very thing that Cardinal Gregory is now doing.  First, he opined that the kids needed to be entertained or else they wouldn't accept the pro-life message.  I was appalled at the condescension towards the young people.  He also claimed that Nellie Gray had on the stage some speakers whom the chancery didn't think deserved a Catholic audience.  I found out later that one speaker whom they eschewed was the late Senator Jesse Helms, who I always held to be an honorable man.

After that conversation, I never attended another of those rallies and Masses.  I simply went to Mass elsewhere.  Actually I did attend one or two of them, but only because I had handouts to distribute.  I wanted to be included in the headcount for Nellie Gray's rallies.

I don't know why Cardinal Gregory decided to cancel these events.  Given other actions of his, I've no doubt that his reasons for doing so may well indicate no pro-life convictions.  I would simply suggest that the attendees go to Mass elsewhere at the numerous churches in the near vicinity.  The Catholic schools that once sent their students to the rallies need to redouble their efforts at teaching Catholic morality to their students.  They also need to get themselves to the March for Life rallies - the entire rallies.  Cardinal Gregory might well have done the pro-life movement a great service, even if inadvertently.  He may have communicated the message that young people need to obey God's laws for God's sake, not because they were "entertained" into doing so.

Electronic Graffiti On Basilica Of The Immaculate Conception

On the eve of the National March for Life, a Mass for Life is usually held in the main part of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Michigan Avenue NE, Washington DC.  Such was the case this past Friday night.

Taking a cue from the Vatican City abomination of six years ago, "Katholycs for a Free Choice" decided to do something similar to the Basilica.  They did, as you see to the right.

Now I won't react in shock and horror at what they did to the Basilica.  That's simply the nature of the nonsense in which they engage.  I really don't know how they thought that this little stunt was going to advance their cause, such as that cause is.

Rather, I am mystified.  Consider that the "katholycs" had to set up their projectors, probably lugging their gadgets from their cars.  Then they had to make sure that their aim was correct and everything in focus, and they did all this in the dark.  So where, oh where, was the Basilica security staff while all this was going on?  Did they lack the guts to confront the "katholics for free choice"?  Well, given the way in which they molested George Neumayr several years ago AND the fact that some of them have actual criminal records, I find that hard to believe.  Were they given orders to stand down and "let the show go on", as it were?

If anyone has further information on what happened that night, and how it was allowed to happen, please reply in the comments section.  I suspect we'll never know the answer to these questions that they were probably hoping would never be asked.

What's Up With March For Life?

Nellie Gray, founder and long-time president of National March for Life, passed away in 2012.  During her tenure at MFL, she ensured that her organization stayed true to the teachings of her Catholic Faith.  When I attended the Traditional Latin Mass at St Mary's just outside the Chinatown area in DC, Nellie was always there.  That to me was a clear indication that Nellie would never waver one iota from the Catholic nature of MFL's mission.  One of her key Life Principles that she gave to National March for Life was "not even a little bit of abortion".

Shortly after her death, I got a whiff of things amiss at MFL.  There was talk of making the March "appealing to young people" (as if there weren't already thousands of young people at the marches), making me believe that personnel selections would be influenced by that consideration.  It did seem to me that MFL might have been "going soft" on its principles, although at the time I couldn't substantiate my opinion, save for one incident of "seamless garment" garbage finding its way onto the rally stage.  Last year, when the leadership decided not to have the march out of fear of covid-cooties, I realized that my suspicions weren't just baseless paranoia.  Not since the March's founding had an annual march ever been cancelled until 2021.

Last October Louie Verrecchio released a video detailing how the Knights of Columbus seem to be adopting what is essentially a pro-abortion excuse.  An important aside - I mean this in no way to be a rebuke to the millions of "rank-and-file" Knights throughout the country, many of whom pray in front of abortuaries and exercise their laudable pro-life apostolates.  However, I suggest that they be aware of what "supreme" is doing and saying.  

I found evidence of the cozy relationship between the Knights and March for Life on MFL's webpage; apparently the two organizations are swapping board officers - often a clear indication of close relationships and common control.  In the video below, Verrecchio mentions sources to which the video links.  You can access them by clicking the "youtube" at the bottom right corner of the vide.  That takes you to the clip's home page and to the linked material.

What's Up With March For Life?

Some time after Nellie Gray's death in 2012, I began to sense something amiss about March for Life, the apostolate that Nellie founded and guided from 1974 till her passing.  As I watched the video below, I could not help but recall one of Nellie's favorite slogans: "Not even a little bit of abortion!"  She approached this menace from a thorough, unapologetically Catholic perspective.  

As Nellie and her fellow board members got on in years, some of us wondered why new blood wasn't brought into her organization.  Well, perhaps now we can appreciate Nellie's hesitations, because the new blood that came in after her death has been a weaker, thinner blood type if you get my drift.  Not only do we see it in what Louie Verrecchio presents to us, but in the abject cowardice displayed in the cancellation of the March for Life this year.  During what other trying circumstance was a previous March canceled?  I cannot recall.

Again, please watch.  To get to the links he mentions, watch it also on the youtube page and the links will be there.  Here is The Hill article written by Carl Anderson. 

Catholic Standard Watch - Progressive Catholics Diss Trump's Appearance At March For Life

Here is the article in question.  Please note that it is a Catholic News Service piece; thus it is most likely published at the unction of the USCCB.  First, we see quoted one John Gehring, Catholic program director of Faith in Public Life.  One would never know from this puff piece that FPL is funded by George Soros.  John Gehring is not fit to be quoted in any Catholic publication.  His complaints about the President are no doubt guided by his own progressive leanings (not to mention Soros and the USCCB).

Next to whine is Father Dauses, pastor of St Andrew by the Bay in Annapolis.  He is quoted as saying he was "really, really conflicted attending" the March.  Were the babies a high priority for him?  That is a fair question, in light of the "social justice" page from his parish's website.  This group, in working with other nearby "faith communities", identified "6 priorities".  Notice what is not a priority.

These two progressives are simply using the president's presence as a feeble excuse for their own disregard of unborn children.  At least the article quoted Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life, who made plain that the murder of thousands of babies daily trumps all other issues in scope and importance.  As long as our clergy remain on the dole from progressive sugar daddies, they will be morally compromised and will likely have difficulty at their particular judgments.

President Trump Speaks At March For Life Today

Today was a historical day.  President Trump became the first President to address the March for Life in person, during its entire 47-year history.  Funny thing - I checked the facebook pages of some #nevertrump wags.  Except for one cynical blurb, they had absolutely nothing to say about that; I'm not at all surprised.  I for one am thankful that he showed and spoke.  Here is the clip.

The Covington High School Fiasco

And that is just what the administration of Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky is making of this.  I refer to the viral video clips going through the internet that portray students from that school, attending the March for Life, to be racists.  That groveling apology simply went up too quickly for any reasonable person to believe that the administration actually investigated the matter before they bad-mouthed their students and threatened them with expulsion.

There are other clips that tell quite a different story.  They show the school group on the steps of the Lincoln Monument as they await their bus.  In the rather long one below, you'll see that Nathan Phillips, the so-called "harassed Native American", approaches their group while banging his drum (about one hour into the clip).  He and his friends plow right through them and pick one young boy to target.  Phillips gets within inches of the boy's face while chanting and drumming.  The boy remains motionless and looks at him; since when is that "harrassment"?  If anyone was harassed, it's the boy who now is unjustly threatened with expulsion.



Now watch this one.  Who is uttering racist screed in this one?




The guy telling the boys to "go back to Europe" has his camcorder at the ready.  How convenient!  By the way - please notice that the boys eventually left (presumably to get their bus).

I linked to Covington Catholic High School above.  In the lower part of that main page is their contact information.  No doubt the left is flooding them with demands for the blood of the boys.  We need to issue a few of our own demands, too.  We need to demand that they actually examine all the facts, that they retract their wimpering apology and show their students how real men handle these situations.  Lord only knows that the Covington administration is failing to demonstrate that.

NOTE - While the school principal's email has "disappeared" from the school site, it was published on facebook.  Here it is: browe@covcath.org.  Let 'em have it!

I truly hope that if these boys are expelled and kicked to the curb as politically correct sacrificial lambs, that their families avail themselves of all legal recourse and sue that school to the whazzoo.

PS - If these videos "disappear", I've taken the precaution to download them.  I suggest that all do the same.

PPS - I'm a little confused. Despite that "apology" on their webpage, their facebook page indicates that the school is standing behind its students.  Now I'm hearing this page may be fake, as the school may have taken down their real page.

Seamless Garbage Pollutes The March For Life

The progressives are working overtime to insinuate "seamless garment" poison into the pro-life movement.  For accuracy, I'll refer to it as "seamless garbage" for that is a more accurate descriptor.  It made its way even to the rally stage of the March for Life.  C-Span has video of the entire rally, with all the speakers.  At about the 5:40 mark, you can hear an Orthodox bishop incorrectly claim that immigration concerns and the death penalty are just as evil as is abortion.  Not to be outdone by the Orthodox, DC Cardinal Wuerl spouts essentially the same nonsense in his blog as he carries on about those without insurance, illegal aliens immigrants, etc.

One Peter Five has done research that corroborates the fact that the USCCB's motives behind their eagerness for refugees is not completely altruistic.  Nope!  The USCCB receives at least several hundreds of millions of dollars (if not billion) from the feds (ultimately from our tax dollars) to "resettle" the illegals.  We might assume that non-Catholics are receiving similar grants: hence the "seamless garbage" crowing by the Orthodox bishop at the March.  Over the years, the USCCB has shown itself to be particularly susceptible to the seductive scent of dollar bills.

The Lepanto Institute has uncovered an even more troubling lapse of morals on the part of the USCCB in favor of - you guessed it! - MONEY!  They are lobbying Congress to fund two organizations that funnel money to Planned Parenthood and other death-dealing organizations because they in turn receive money from them.  This USCCB letter sounds so lofty and noble, right?  The letter's language shows the infestation of seamless garbage as abortion is completely ignored while other issues are exalted in its place.

Yesterday LifeSiteNews published a piece by Doug Mainwaring detailing another facet of "seamless garbage" adulteration of the pro-life movement.  That is, gays are trying to align themselves with us.  While I think it laudable on one hand that they see the evil of baby-slaughter, they also attempt to justify their mortal sins of sexual perversion via their abortion opposition.  They fail - or refuse - to acknowledge that abortion and sodomy stem from the same rejection of God's plan for life, family, sexuality, marriage.  Doug made mention of Rosemary Geraghty.  I too warned about her in an earlier post.  She is on the board of the "seamless garbage" Rehumanize International.

We as Catholics must stand for God's plan for marriage, family, sexuality, life.  God has privileged us with the ability to procreate new life with His grace.  The devil hates us for that because by that privilege we help engender new people to potentially enjoy life with God in eternity.  Hence all direct attacks against that privilege must be given top priority and we must allow nothing - be that diversion ever so noble - to dilute our energies from establishing the Culture of Life.  The diabolical attacks are: contraception, abortion, euthanasia, abuse of embryos, attacks on marriage (including divorce), the furtherance of homosexual perversions.  Let's engage in a laser-like focus on these matters and leave the "seamless garbage" in the trash where it belongs.

Plenary Indulgence For Attending 2018 March For Life

Cardinal Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington and Bishop Burbidge of the neighboring Diocese of Arlington announced today that Catholics who attend the March for Life in Washington DC next month will be able to gain a plenary indulgence for doing so, providing all other requisite conditions are met.

I've often thought that it would be appropriate to attach indulgences to various pro-life outreaches.  Many of these involve multiple works of mercy, both spiritual and corporal, and are undertaken with varying degrees of hardships to the participants.  I commend both Cardinal Wuerl and Bishop Burbidge for taking this step.  I pray it continues.

Our Lady Of America And March For Life - Can You Help?

Back in April I wrote of Our Lady of America and devotion to the same, supported by Cardinal Burke.  One of her requests was that her statue be processed into the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.  I believe it now resides in the John Paul II Institute, located across the street from the Basilica.

Next weekend thousands of Catholics and a goodly number of bishops will descend upon Washington DC for the March for Life.  That time would be opportune for a proper procession.  To that end, my friend who is helping to spearhead this effort would appreciate assistance (that is, your assistance) in distributing prayer cards at four venues.  She asked me to publicize the following message.  Since then, she has suffered a death in her family.  Therefore, I'd ask that if you're able to assist, that you'd advise me of the time you'd like to help and your contact, via a comment.  I will not publish your information; rather, I'll forward it to her or to her designated assistant.  The following is her message, with only her contact information redacted.

“WHO IS SHE THAT COMETH FORTH AS THE MORNING RISING, FAIR AS THE MOON, BRIGHT AS THE SUN, TERRIBLE AS AN ARMY SET IN ARRAY ?”   Song of Solomon 6

               OUR LADY OF AMERICA

            THE IMMACULATE VIRGIN

  

This is the panacea ! The remedy for all ills !

The answer and solution of the problems and difficulties plaguing America today.

Our Lady of America appeared to Sister Mildred of the Precious Blood Sisters, in 1956 requesting that her image be solemnly processed into the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception that was being built in Washington D.C. at that time, by her “Sons the Bishops”.

  

If her request was fulfilled, in return Our Lady of America promised that America would be spared the Chastisement and

would lead the world in purity !

  

Time is running out and we must make sure this happens before more devastating evil takes over our country.

We can only be saved by Divine Intervention and Our Lady of America has promised to save us.

I am imploring you to help me distribute prayer cards of Our Lady of America on four upcoming occasions.  With these prayers “storming heaven” I am sure we can get enough bishops to fulfill Our Lady’s requests and save us from what will be utter and complete catastrophe !

These are the four occasions coming up that I need volunteers to hand out these prayer cards.

1.  “Protest Planned Parenthood” on Jan. 21st      at 9:00 - 1225 4th St. NE Washington DC.        

2.  Vigil Mass at the Bascilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 6:00 pm - 400 Michigan Ave. NE Washington, D.C.20017

3.  Closing Mass for the Solemn Prayer Vigil for Life 7:30 am

4. The March For Life at the Mall-between 15th  St. and Constitution Ave. in downtown Washington DC 11:45 am

I am thanking you in advance knowing you understand there is no more time and we must storm heaven with prayer for Our Lady of America.

Evangelism Begins With Knowledge Not Feelings

In today's Vortex, Michael Voris sums up his past several videos and some of the reactions to them.  I do believe his account for I have heard some similar kvetching.  In this video he features some well-grounded young Catholics; listening to these young people gives me a glimmer of hope for our Church.

Tomorrow Voris will give more detailed analysis in his Mic'd Up program starting at 8:00pm est.  Click on the link to listen; I'm certain a youtube will be available later.

The Poisonous Filter Of Feelings

Michael Voris asked yet another question of young March for Life attendees: "Do you think the Catholic church is superior to all other religions?"  50% answered no; some of them gave an all-too-common reason for their answer; they were afraid of hurting the feelings of another.  Here is the video, but when you're finished watching it please scroll below it to see additional comments.



Towards the end, Voris challenged the Catholic youth to grow up and to be heroes.  Truth be told, I perceived a tad too much rebuke in his tone, rebuke that is out of proportion with their culpability.  Perhaps that would have been more appropriately directed at their parents and/or other mentors who should have been giving solid teaching and guidance to the kids during their formative years.  For those who have recalcitrant parents and/or teachers, "growing up" can be quite a trick.  Would that Voris had suggested some real assistance to them.  Here's where I might fill in the gap.  First, they're going to have to do some reading and studying on their own.  A few suggested reading materials are below.

• This Is The Faith: A Complete Explanation Of The Catholic Faith by Canon Francis Ripley.  This is excellent; I cannot praise it enough.  TAN Books publishes it, but it is also available on Amazon.
• Any of the audio cassette series by Servant of God Father John Hardon, available from LifeEternal.org.  They're available in MP3 format as well.  I'd suggest starting with "Profession of Roman Catholic Faith", "The Ten Commandments" and "The Sacraments"

Spiritual Slaughter Of Pro-Life Youth

Yesterday and the day before, I posted Vortex videos showing why all is not well with the so-called "future of the pro-life movement" and why the blame for that dismal state of affairs lies squarely on the shoulders of those whom God entrusted to educate and form those young people.  All too many have responded with resentment at having their rose-colored glasses yanked from their faces.  What Voris relates in today's Vortex largely echoes some discussions (mostly on Facebook) in which I've been involved.

Michael Voris is very correct when he says that the acceptance of contraception and gay practices within the pro-life movement indicates that the Culture of Death has been embraced by those pro-lifers.  Not only do they risk undermining their pro-life work, but they risk damnation of their own souls to hell.  If that's true for these young people, how much more so for those who should have mentored them properly?

Even At March For Life, Contraception Is Accepted

Michael Voris attended the March for Life and some of the pro-life gatherings in the past few days.  He interviewed a number of young people at the Capital Hyatt in Washington.  Just prior to the march, it is filled with pro-life people.  I believe one of the major pro-life groups has a convention there.  At any rate, Voris interviewed a number of the pro-life youth in attendance and obtained some very disturbing replies.  Ladies and gentlemen, please watch the video, then see my comments below it.



There are those who say that these young people point to a shining promise for the pro-life movement.  I beg to differ.  The acceptance of the moral evil of contraception in so many points to a dismal prospect for the pro-life movement.  If the truth of contraception is not taught RIGHT NOW in an unambiguous, complete and forthright manner, the pro-life movement will implode upon itself.  For the sad status of these young people, they are most likely not to blame.  Rather it is their parents, priests, teachers, youth-group leaders who will have to answer for their souls.

When is the last time you heard a homily at Sunday Mass stating the truth about contraception in a bold, non-nuanced fashion?  It's been a while for me, too.  Oh, we might hear about abortion (maybe 2-3 times a year), but nary a word is spoken about the mortal sin of contraception usage.  I understand such silence is ordered by the bishops.  Pray that God soften their hearts.

Perhaps a little history is in order, particularly for those who think prohibition of contraception is strictly a Catholic anomaly.  Until 1929, all the Christian denominations understood that the usage of contraception was a heinous evil.  Then came the 1930 Lambeth Conference of the Anglican (Episcopalian, in U.S.) Church when the usage of contraception was permitted "in limited circumstances".  That was enough for the elephant to stick its nose under the tent.

Many people and institutions saw the danger.  In the early part of the twentieth century, sanity reigned much more than it does now.   Read these words: "Carried to its logical conclusion, the committee’s report if carried into effect would sound the death-knell of marriage as a holy institution, by establishing degrading practices which would encourage indiscriminate immorality."  Guess what right-wing religious zealot wrote that?   None!  That's from (sit down!) the Washington Post, in an editorial in their March 22, 1931 edition.  My, how that newspaper has deteriorated, but I digress.

In 1968, Pope Paul VI released the encyclical Humanae Vitae.  Written over 40 years ago, many of the evils about which the Holy Father warned did not exist.  They do now.  His warning went unheeded; now we have to have Marches for Life and fight gay encroachment.  Even more sadder is the fact that so many souls are going to hell.  It was Our Lady of Fatima herself who stated that most of the souls who go to hell do so because of sins of the flesh.  Contraception encourages such sin - and damnation.

Read this article from Business Insider. Although it's two years old, it's still relevant.  Why, oh why, do our Catholic parents and clergy hesitate when it comes to teaching young people (and old) the truth about contraception?  Too many souls are at stake - including those of the young people who answered Voris in the negative.

PS - I look to tomorrow's "homosexuality" segment with some trepidation.

Georgetown University Hosting Pro-Abortion Eleanor Holmes Norton

Just a week after she accused Republicans of waging a "new war on women" for efforts to restrict abortion, Eleanor Holmes Norton is to be honored by Georgetown University.  She is to participate in a panel discussion during a week-long program that ostensibly honors Martin Luther King, Jr.  She is DC's non-voting Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.  She's also been endorsed by Emily's List, a pac that funds only female pro-abortion candidates.

This week, with the March for Life going on, many bishops will wax lyrical about their desire to protect unborn children.  For too many of them, that will be the only thing they utter all year with respect to abortion.  We call upon our local bishop, Cardinal Wuerl, to strip Georgetown University of its designation as Catholic educational institution, for Georgetown has abandoned its Catholic soul many years ago.

HT - LifeSiteNews

Father Guarnizo At Italy's March For Life

Pope Francis Joins Italian March For Life

In today's "Marcia per la Vita" in Rome, the pope (in popemobile of course) went into the street where the marchers were congregating and greeted them in person.  Obviously this is a first.  I'll let you all read the Lifesite News report and to take a gander at the picture of the Holy Father.

Funeral Arrangements For Nellie Gray

(Courtesy of Les Femmes)

Where: St. Mary, Mother of God Church, 
727 5th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

There will be a viewing in the Church on 
Thursday, August 23 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Friday, August 24th - Respects may be paid 
in Church between 10:00 am and 11:00 am. 
Mass will be offered at 11:00 am in the Church

Details And Funeral Arrangements For Nellie Gray

This is from Bishop Gracida's blog.  She will be buried in her native Corpus Christi, Texas.